Kusal Mendis had been at the PSL until last week but has now pivoted to playing in the IPL, a league in which he has never previously appeared

Andrew Fidel Fernando15-May-2025Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis will replace Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans squad for the IPL playoffs.Kusal Mendis had been at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Quetta Gladiators until last week, playing as their wicketkeeper-batter. He’d last played for them on May 7. But ESPNcricinfo has learned he will not travel to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL due to perceived safety concerns, and has now pivoted to playing in the IPL, a league in which he has never previously appeared.Buttler’s unavailability for the playoffs is down to his having been named in England’s ODI squad for the home series against West Indies, which starts on May 29. The IPL’s playoffs begin the same day.GT have two other wicketkeeping options in their squad, in Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra. However, Kusal Mendis has been in good form for Gladiators, hitting 143 runs at a strike rate of 168 in five PSL matches.Merely being approached by an IPL franchise as a replacement is something of a career fillip for Kusal Mendis, who had entered his name in the IPL auctions repeatedly, but had never been bought. He is understood to be currently awaiting his India visa, and is likely to join the GT squad on Saturday.GT currently sit atop the IPL table, equal on points with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but with a better net run rate. They need only one more win to confirm their place in the playoffs.

For much of the season so far, Arsenal fans have had to watch Liverpool score last-minute winner after last-minute winner.

Watching your Premier League title rival survive scare after scare has to be a draining experience, but yesterday afternoon it was the Gunners’ turn to win it at the death.

Despite clearly being the better team for most of the game against Newcastle United, Mikel Arteta’s side found themselves 1-0 for much of the encounter and staring down the barrel of yet more dropped points.

Fortunately, the North Londoners found a way to claim all three and narrow the gap to the Reds at the top of the table to just two points.

There were stand-out performances for Arsenal all over the pitch, including one starter who is starting to win comparisons to Cesc Fàbregas.

Arsenal's stand-out stars vs Newcastle

Now, while he didn’t necessarily have the best of games, falling over nothing to allow the hosts a goal early on, Gabriel Magaelehged more than made his mark by full-time.

Gabriel’s game vs Newcastle

Minutes

98′

Goals

1

Clearances

11

Blocked Shots

2

Interceptions

3

Tackles

3

Dribbled Past

0

Ground Duels (Won)

4 (4)

Aerial Duels (Won)

11 (8)

Touches

82

Shots on Target

1

All Stats via Sofascore

The Brazilian titan made 11 clearances, blocked two shots, made three interceptions, won 100% of his ground duels and made three tackles.

However, it should really go without saying that his most significant impact on the game was his 96th-minute headed winner that sent the travelling fans absolutely potty.

Mikel Merino also deserves a lot of credit for his battling display, as in the 28 minutes or so he spent on the pitch, the Spaniard scored an outrageous header to kickstart the comeback, won four out of five duels and just added another avenue of attack for his side.

It wasn’t just the goal scorers who impressed, though, as Eberechi Eze put in a performance that should see him keep his place in the starting line-up for some time to come.

The former Crystal Palace star came so close to opening the scoring early on in the first half, but saw his shot pushed round the post by Nick Pope, and then, towards the end of the half, saw a perfectly struck volley saved as well.

It wasn’t just his shots that made the 27-year-old a danger to the Toon, though, as he completed 100% of his dribbles, played a key pass and was taking up threatening positions on both sides of the pitch.

In all, there were plenty of Arsenal stars who put on excellent displays yesterday afternoon, including one who has now been compared to Fabregas.

Arsenal's Fabregas-esque star

You could probably make the argument that the likes of Martin Odegaard, Eze or even Ethan Nwaneri share some Fabregas-esque qualities.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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However, in this instance, Martin Zubimendi is the player in question, and the comparison comes from one analyst who described the former Real Sociedad star as a “Fabregas type” player.

Now, plenty of you may be scratching your heads as the 26-year-old generally plays in a deeper role than the former international ever did for Arsenal, Barcelona, or Chelsea.

However, the position he plays in has very little to do with the comparison itself; instead, what the analyst is getting at is the fact that the summer signing is capable of playing sensational passes into dangerous areas for his teammates.

In fact, while nothing came from it in the end, we saw this in yesterday’s game when he dinked the ball over the Newcastle defence only for Pope to make a great save to deny Jurrien Timber.

That wasn’t the only chance he created, though, as by the time the game ended, he had played two key passes, amassed an expected assists figure of 0.52, been accurate in 100% of his long balls and completed 54 of 60 passes.

Moreover, he’s also been accurate in 83% of his passes in the opposition’s half in the Premier League so far this season.

In other words, he is more than just a six; he is someone who can conduct play from slightly deeper, someone who can spray passes out wide to kickstart counters, or, as we saw yesterday, ping a ball into the penalty area and cause panic among opposition defenders.

Ultimately, there is still some way to go before he reaches his full potential. However, on top of his defensive attributes, Zubimendi is proving to be a dangerous Fabregas-esque passer from deep, and as respected analyst Ben Mattinson states, he’s been “near-perfect” for Arsenal so far this season.

Related Arsenal's "colossal" star is the modern-day Patrick Vieira & it's not Rice

The modern-day Patrick Vieira may well have been found at Arsenal.

Posts ByMatt Dawson Sep 29, 2025

While they have yet to win anything, Arsenal now have arguably the best squad in the Premier League.

Whether it’s the outrageously stacked defence, the midfield or up top, Mikel Arteta has an abundance of talent to pick from every week, and his second-string side would probably give some teams a good game.

Yet, even with the embarrassment of riches at his disposal, most fans and pundits alike would agree that his best and most important player remains Bukayo Saka.

Yet, even so, the manager should be looking to take the Englishman out of the lineup for the Champions League game against Olympiacos.

Why Saka should be dropped

Now, there is, of course, a compelling argument that Arsenal should field their best players in a European game like this.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, even though that’s a totally valid point of view, and one that most might hold, there are a few reasons why Saka should be dropped.

First and foremost, Arteta needs to protect the Hale End superstar from being overplayed and picking up any more injuries.

After all, he missed almost four months of action due to hamstring surgery last season, and then missed a few weeks earlier this year due to an injury to his other hamstring.

Moreover, since returning from his recent setback, the 24-year-old “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already made three appearances, including two starts in the last two games.

In other words, he’s already had the chance to regain a significant amount of match sharpness and therefore doesn’t need to start a third game in seven days.

Second, if the North Londoners were playing a title rival or one of the real big boys in Europe, then there would be an argument to risk another start given his importance to the team.

However, without being disrespectful, Olympiacos are one of the easier opponents the Gunners will face this season, with UEFA ranking them 37th in their coefficients, behind the likes of Bodo/Glimt, PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge.

Finally, there is also no need to play Saka, as Arteta already has the perfect option to start in his stead, and no, it’s not Max Dowman.

The Arsenal star who should start ahead of Saka

There will be plenty of fans who want to see Dowman come in from the start against Olympiacos, and while there is undoubtedly an argument to throw him in the deep end, it might be a little too much too soon.

Especially when Arteta already has the perfect option to start in Saka and the 15-year-old’s place: Ethan Nwaneri.

Speaking about him during the early stages of Nwaneri’s development, Mikel Arteta noted that the teenager is “a little bit like Jack Wilshere,” and that may suggest why he’s been getting more game time in the middle of the park recently.

That looks likely to be his long-term position, but it would make perfect sense to start the Hale Ender off the right against the Greek outfit.

The most significant argument for doing so is that the 18-year-old dynamo already has a decent amount of experience playing out there and put up some good numbers when doing so last season.

For example, in 37 appearances, totalling just 1378 minutes, the dynamic gem scored nine goals and provided two assists, which comes out to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or every 125.27 minutes.

Appearances

37

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

In other words, the manager can rest assured that starting the “phenomenal” talent, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, would not be detrimental to the side’s attacking output.

Another reason the Spaniard should be playing academy product is that, now that he has been tied down to a long-term contract, he needs to be given ample opportunities to play first-team football and continue his impressive development.

So, while a start against Newcastle United, for example, might be too risky, the same cannot really be said about a European fixture in which the Gunners are big favourites.

Ultimately, Saka needs to be rested and protected to ensure he does not suffer another injury, and though Dowman should feature against Olympiacos, it should be Nwaneri who starts the game off the right.

Jamie Carragher admits he was wrong about Arsenal star who's "becoming a real leader"

The former Liverpool defender has made a U-turn.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 1, 2025

Manchester United’s situation on the pitch is one that needs a rapid change in the coming weeks, especially if boss Ruben Amorim is to save his job at Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old will mark a year in charge in just over a month’s time, but it remains to be seen if he will reach such a landmark given the Red Devils’ dismal displays in recent weeks.

His men have lost three of their first six Premier League matches in 2025/26, whilst also being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Grimsby Town.

Such results see the club occupy a place just above the relegation zone, just as they did last campaign, whilst already missing out on the opportunity to win a piece of silverware this season.

As a result, pressure has rapidly been building on Amorim’s shoulders, with numerous options already being lined up by the hierarchy should they decide to make a change of manager.

The latest on Man Utd’s shortlist of Amorim replacements

After winning the FA Cup and Community Shield within the last few months, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has emerged as one of the options United could turn to if Amorim is sacked.

Such a move would be an excellent appointment, but it remains unclear at this stage whether the Austrian would be open to a switch to Old Trafford given his recent success at Selhurst Park.

However, he’s not the only manager currently in their sights, with Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola another option under consideration, according to TEAMtalk.

Their report claims that the Spaniard “would love” to take over at the Theatre of Dreams, with such a move reflecting his rapid rise in his managerial career.

It also states that the 43-year-old only has one year left on his contract at the Vitality, with the Cherries potentially having no choice but to allow him to depart in order to gain a compensation package.

Why United’s manager hunt could see an Amorim upgrade arrive

After joining last November, it’s safe to say no United fan would have expected the club’s form to take a further nose-dive after Amorim filled the hot-seat after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.

The Portuguese boss arrived with huge expectations after winning two Liga Portugal titles during his spell in charge of Sporting CP – even beating Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League prior to his move to England.

However, the 40-year-old has only achieved a 39% win rate in his 49 matches at the helm, with the defeat against Brentford last Saturday, the 21st of his tenure.

Such a result made it nine losses in the club’s last 15 league matches, with promoted sides such as Sunderland and Leeds United already ahead of them in the current standings.

A change is desperately needed, with a move for Iraola offering the Red Devils the fresh impetus they’ve desperately craved over the last couple of months.

Should he join the club, the first team would no doubt go back to a 4-2-3-1 system, something which Amorim has refused to do, but also offering the hierarchy an improvement on the man currently at the helm.

When comparing their respective stats in the Premier League, the difference is there for all to see, with the Spaniard a perfect option to right the wrongs of the last 12 months.

Games managed

94

49

Wins

38

19

Draws

22

9

Losses

34

21

Goals conceded

1.4

1.9

Points won

115

66

Points per game

1.5

1.3

Win percentage

40.4%

38.7%

Iraola, who in the words of journalist James Horncastle – via John Brewin of the Libero podcast – is the “best coach in the Premier League”, has achieved a 40% win rate at the Vitality, a rate higher than that of Amorim, winning 38 of his 94 matches in charge – subsequently doing so on a shoestring budget.

He’s also achieved a better point per game rate to date, with his side also conceding fewer goals per 90 – subsequently offering the Red Devils the needed defensive quality they’ve lacked.

The former Rayo Vallecano boss led the Cherries to a top-half finish last time around, something which Amorim was unable to do with a vastly more expensive squad at his disposal.

There’s no denying that the 40-year-old is on borrowed time, with the hierarchy desperately needing to make a decision soon to avoid another embarrassing campaign.

Should he be given his matching orders, it’s clear that Iraola would be a phenomenal option, with the Spaniard’s desire to make the move another reason why he should be the man to transform the club’s fortunes.

He's Klopp 2.0: "Incredible" boss is Man Utd's top target to replace Amorim

Manchester United now have a new option to replace Ruben Amorim as manager at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 1, 2025

A groin injury has ruled Trevor Gwandu out of contention for Zimbabwe’s four-day Test match against England in Nottingham.Gwandu, according to a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) press release, suffered a left groin strain during a training session.Related

• Sikandar Raza back in Zimbabwe squad for four-day Test against England

• Gary Ballance to join Zimbabwe coaching staff ahead of England Test

• James Rew called up to England Test squad after Jordan Cox ruled out

• Josh De Caires to lead County XI as Mark Wood tests coaching credentials

• Tim Southee joins England set-up as 'special skills consultant'

Tanaka Chivanga has replaced Gwandu in a fast-bowler-for-fast-bowler swap. Chivanga, 31, has played two Tests, taking three wickets at an average of 32.66. His last Test was the one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast in July 2024, and has missed all of Zimbabwe’s five Tests since then. According to the ZC release, Chivanga returns after recovering from an injury sustained during that Belfast Test.Chivanga has also played 11 white-ball games for Zimbabwe – eight ODIs and three T20Is – the last of which came in December 2023.The one-off Test in Nottingham, which is scheduled from May 22 to 25, is Zimbabwe’s first Test in England since 2003 and their first international match in any format in the country since 2004.

Zimbabwe squad for four-day Test against England

Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Clive Madande (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Nick Welch, Sean Williams.

With Brendan Rodgers’ future still up in the air, a fresh update has dropped regarding the situation and Celtic’s board, courtesy of an ex-CEO.

Rodgers delighted after dramatic Celtic win

The Hoops left it very late to win 2-1 away to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon, with new signing Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Speaking after the game, Rodgers couldn’t hide his delight at the result, as Celtic’s winning mentality shone through, like it so often does.

“It’s a great feeling. It’s been a long two weeks, so to get back out on to the football field – and this is always a tough game here – I’m so pleased for the players.“We weren’t quite in the right fluidity in the first-half. We got into some good areas but we weren’t feeding the wide guys well enough. But I thought in the second half we were much better.

“We started the half really well, got in front, and we had control of the game and had other good chances. They made some really good blocks.

“At 1-0 it can always be in the balance, no matter how much dominance you have, and we got punished from a corner and then they had a wee bit of momentum then with not so long to go. But we stuck at it, we defended the box when he had to, we were really strong and had that Celtic spirit.”

New update on Rodgers' Celtic future

Away from a huge win, though, Rodgers’ future is still a key talking point, and speaking to Football Insider, former Aberdeen chief executive officer Keith Wyness claimed that Celtic’s board will cause huge anger among the fanbase if the manager leaves.

“Now, what I’m hearing from my Celtic contacts is that they’re feeling that the board has become a little bit ivory tower in its view these days. They’re older. They’re used to doing things a certain way, they’re not listening to what they need to do to change, they’re not prepared to change, and there isn’t a hunger and a desire anymore to go forward.

“They’re quite happy with the money in the bank. So that’s what frustrates fans more than anything else when they see their prices going up and they have to fund the season tickets, and they don’t see that being transferred into ambition. It isn’t as though the club’s bust, the very opposite, that’s what frustrates people.

“If Brendan goes, then I think the board will see some real anger, obviously depending on who they bring in. Brendan had managed to win back over a lot of the fans and there’s a lot of sympathy for Brendan in this situation.”

There is no doubt that life under Rodgers isn’t perfect right now, and that he isn’t blameless when it comes to some underwhelming performances, but he still feels like the right man for the job for many fans.

As Wyness alludes to, he wasn’t fully supported financially in the summer transfer window, causing plenty of frustration, so he can only work with the squad he has now.

Rodgers may have unearthed Celtic's next Tierney & it's not Saracchi

Celtic may have found their next Kieran Tierney and it is not Marcelo Saracchi.

ByDan Emery Sep 14, 2025

Sacking Rodgers would be a big risk by the board, and if that did happen, or if the Northern Irishman leaves, they will have to nail his successor to please the supporters.

MatériaMais Notícias

OBrasileirãojá acontece no formato de pontos corridos desde 2003. Com isso, os padrões de pontuações necessárias para ser campeão, ser rebaixado e se classificar paraLibertadores, por exemplo, vão se formando. Por isso, o Lance! preparou essa nota para você saber a pontuação necessária historicamente para se garantir no G-6 da tabela.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSantosVÍDEO: Os bastidores da virada do Santos contra o Grêmio pelo BrasileirãoSantos22/08/2023Futebol NacionalHonorato comemora vaga histórica do Grêmio Pague Menos na Copa do Brasil Sub-20Futebol Nacional21/08/2023BrasileirãoBahia goleia o Red Bull Bragantino e segue fora da zona do rebaixamento do BrasileirãoBrasileirão20/08/2023

Apesar de ter começado em 2003, o formato de pontos corridos com 20 clubes está vigente desde 2006. Foram 18 temporadas até aqui.

No primeiro ano de pontos corridos com 20 clubes, 2006, os 6 primeiros foram: São Paulo, Internacional, Grêmio, Santos, Paraná e Vasco da Gama. A pontuação do Vasco, que foi o sexto colocado, terminou o campeonato com 59 pontos.

Os números indicam que 65 é a pontuação necessária para terminar o Brasileirão em sexto lugar, mas com 60 dificilmente o clube não estará na próxima edição da Libertadores, visto que a probabilidade será de 99%.

continua após a publicidade

Desde 2014, a média de pontos do 6º colocado fica em 58,6 pontos. A menor pontuação nesse período foi 56 pontos, em 2017 e 2021. A maior, foi 63, pontuação do São Paulo em 2019.

+Fala, Jogadô! Resenha exclusiva com um dos maiores treinadores da história do futebol brasileiro: Abel Braga. Confira!

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoLancepedia

Visitors slide against spin after being made to follow on as Glamorgan revival continues

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-May-2025

Australia international Matt Kuhnemann ripped through Middlesex’s top order either side of lunch as Glamorgan cruised to a ten-wicket victory in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash at Sophia Gardens.The left-arm spinner, available for this match only before his involvement in the World Test Championship final next month, ensured he left a lasting impression in Cardiff, returning career-best figures of 6 for 53.It is the first time since 2015 that the Welsh county have achieved three Championship wins on the bounce and the only time in their history that they have achieved the feat by winning each match inside three days. Victory propels Glamorgan, temporarily at least, into second place behind leaders Leicestershire and marks a truly remarkable turnaround for Sam Northeast’s men, who, after the opening three fixtures, sat 19 points adrift at the bottom of the table.With a soggy bank holiday Monday predicted in Cardiff and a first hour utterly dominated by the Middlesex opening pair of Sam Robson and Max Holden it was starting to look like a victory that might slip through the fingers of the home side.After Middlesex were asked to follow-on 228 runs behind the hosts, Robson appeared to be on a one-man mission to reduce the deficit as he flayed Glamorgan’s attack to all parts during the early exchanges – his first 28 runs came courtesy of boundaries as he raced to a half-century off just 40 balls, which included 10 fours.In an attempt to gain some control, Glamorgan turned to spin in just the 15th over of the morning. When Kuhnemann’s first ball was drilled disdainfully through extra cover for four by Holden it appeared little was about to change. However, with the score on 98, Kuhnemann found Holden’s inside edge and Asa Tribe took a sharp catch at short leg to begin the Middlesex slide.Robson soon followed, failing to pick a Kuhnemann arm-ball, the former England man trapped on the crease lbw for an entertaining 66 off just 58 balls. When the Aussie bowled Leus du Plooy through the gate, the game had suddenly been broken wide open with Middlesex reduced to 113 for 3.As lunch approached, Timm van der Gugten got in on the act for Glamorgan, Luke Hollman edging into the cordon where Kiran Carlson took a smart, low catch at second slip. It capped an extraordinary end to what was looking like being a rather chastening morning session for Glamorgan, four wickets had fallen for just 17 runs and 98 for 0 had suddenly become 115 for 4.Bright sunshine greeted the players as the afternoon session got underway, however, the upturn in weather failed to bring a change of fortune for Middlesex. Ben Geddes decided attack was the best form of defensive but his expansive drive off Kuhnemann was miscued and Zain-ul-Hassan took an excellent back-peddling catch at wide mid-off to give the spinner his fourth wicket.James Harris (2-65) removed Ryan Higgins and Zafar Gohar to leave the visitors reeling on 160 for 7 before Kuhnemann had Middlesex keeper Jack Davies caught on the midwicket fence for his fifth wicket of the innings.At 190 for 8, Middlesex were facing the prosect of an innings defeat but skipper Toby Roland-Jones refused to go down without a fight, unleashing a series of lofty blows on his way to 57 off just 42 balls with four sixes. He too was caught in the deep by Harris, this time off van der Gugten (2-29) before Kuhnemann dismissed No. 11 Dane Paterson to record his maiden six-wicket haul in first-class cricket.The Middlesex innings closed on 235, meaning Glamorgan required just 8 runs for victory, which they knocked off without any alarms after 2.2 overs.With attention now turning to the Vitality Blast, both sides will be back in County Championship action on Sunday June 22. Glamorgan visit pace-setters Leicestershire while Middlesex will look to get their promotion push back on track with a trip to bottom side Northamptonshire.

Real Madrid outcast Endrick has made up his mind on a potential move to Marseille, which could see the Brazilian youngster link up with Mason Greenwood in France in the January transfer window. After a difficult debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu, which saw the teenager struggle for game time, things have worsened under Xabi Alonso, as he has yet to feature in a La Liga or Champions League match in the new season.

Endrick continues to struggle for game time at Madrid

It has not been a smooth journey for Endrick in the Spanish capital ever since he completed his dream move to Real Madrid from Palmeiras, as he has been constantly overlooked, first by Carlo Ancelotti and now by Alonso in the current season. Endrick has yet to appear in a single match in the 2025-26 campaign and his frustration is slowly growing. The 19-year-old faces fierce competition for minutes at Los Blancos, which is putting his place in the Brazil squad under threat, with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching. The South American nation also have other exciting youngsters emerging – such as Estevao Willian, who is now in the Premier League with Chelsea. 

During the summer window, Endrick attracted interest from quite a few clubs in Europe but a move never materialised. However, in the upcoming January transfer window, the teenage star could consider leaving Madrid to boost his chances of sealing a spot in the Selecao squad for the World Cup next summer. 

AdvertisementgettyEndrick could join Greenwood at Marseille

Amid speculation over Endrick's future, reports that Ligue 1 giants Marseille are keen on signing the striker in the January transfer window. Marseille initially wanted to sign the Brazilian youngster in the summer window and are set to reignite their interest when the market reopens. Roberto De Zerbi is desperately looking to sign a new attacking option once the transfer window reopens, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Amine Gouiri will leave for international duty at the AFCON.

The report adds that Endrick is also keen on a move to Marseille to end his misery at Santiago Bernabeu. It now remains to be seen if Marseille will come back with a concrete offer for the 19-year-old and whether it will be an approach over a loan move or a permanent transfer. 

Endrick also linked with a move to Serie A

Journalist Matteo Moreno reported earlier this week that Endrick could head to Serie A in January in a shock move as Juventus are keen on signing the Madrid wonderkid. The Bianconeri were one of several other clubs in Italy, Spain and Germany to track the Brazilian, but Madrid at that time had blocked his transfer.

Along with Juventus and Marseille, reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be plotting a move for the Brazil international, as are the Premier League's West Ham United, who have reportedly made a concrete approach to explore a January loan move.

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Getty Images SportEndrick remains hopeful of earning minutes at Madrid

Los Blancos handed over Endrick the club's iconic No.9 shirt at the start of the season, which was previously worn by club legends like Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo Nazario and Karin Benzema. Even Cristiano Ronaldo donned the iconic number for a brief period at the start of his journey in Spain. Despite getting his dream shirt, Endrick has yet to break into the first team. However, now that the international break is over, the Brazilian will hope that Alonso provides him with some game time so that he can showcase his talent and earn the Spanish coach's trust. 

Los Blancos are scheduled to face Getafe in La Liga on October 19, followed by a key Champions League fixture against Juventus three days later. The club will then gear up to meet arch-rivals Barcelona in the season's first Clasico on October 26.

علق فرج عامر رئيس نادي سموحة، على المشادة التي نشبت أمس خلال مباراة فريقه أمام الجونة، بين الثنائي حسام أشرف وبادجي.

وكان سموحة قد تعرض للهزيمة بهدف وحيد، أمام الجونة بالمباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين أمس ضمن لقاءات الدوري المصري.

طالع.. فيديو | الجونة يتخطى سموحة بصعوبة في الدوري.. و”خناقة” بين لاعبين على ركلة جزاء

وقال فرج عامر في تصريحات إذاعية عبر آثير ميجا اف ام: “ما حدث من لاعبي الفريق أمام الجونة في واقعة ركلة الجزاء يُعد كارثة ومأساة، وأنا فوجئت بما جرى، لكن سيتم اتخاذ قرارات قوية بشأن ذلك”.

وأكمل: “تصرف بابا بادجي مع حسام أشرف حول تسديد ركلة الجزاء كان مفاجئًا، ولذلك قررت إيقافه على الفور، وسيخوض تدريبات منفردة خلال الفترة المقبلة”.

وأردف: “خسارة سموحة أمام الجونة جاءت نتيجة الاستهتار والتعالي على المنافس، وهناك عقوبة في انتظار اللاعب أمادي بعد طرده في المباراة”.

ويمتلك سموحة في رصيده 15 نقطة في المركز العاشر بجدول الدوري، من الفوز بـ3 لقاءات والتعادل 6 مباريات والهزيمة مرتين.